Hot Dog Heroes: Who Will Win the July 4th Eating Showdown?

Every Fourth of July, there's a unique competition that grabs attention: the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. This year, it's happening at the original Nathan's spot in Coney Island, Brooklyn. The main event kicks off around 12:30 p. m. ET, but the fun starts earlier with the women's competition at 11 a. m. ET. If you're tuning in, ESPN has you covered. The contest will air on ESPN stations, and if you don't have cable, ESPN3 and other streaming services like YouTube TV are options. The big names to watch are Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo. Chestnut, back after a one-year ban, is a 16-time champ and the favorite to win again. Sudo, on the other hand, is aiming for her fourth straight victory. The rules are simple: 10 minutes to eat as many hot dogs and buns as possible. No utensils, no condiments, and no throwing up—or you're out! Chestnut's ban last year was due to a sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods, which makes plant-based hot dogs. This year, he's back to endorsing Nathan's and ready to compete. The competition is fierce, with 14 men and 12 women battling it out. Chestnut holds the official world record of 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes, but he's also eaten 83 in an unofficial contest. So, who will take home the Mustard Belt and the $10, 000 prize? All eyes are on Chestnut and Sudo, but surprises can happen. Tune in to see if they can defend their titles or if someone new will step up to the plate—or should we say, the hot dog stand?